If anyone read the novel for Jurassic Park, the elephant will be familiar to you all.
The Hammond Estate held a different feeling than the Lockwood's. It was more open, more bright. Staff filled the emptiness, friendly smiles going her way as she waited for Tim to appear. Apparently she was expected, just not as quick. Which was fine, the drive to California was on the way back to the docks for Isla Matanceros and so they were there within two days.
So here she stood, looking around a grand room filled to the brim with memorabilia from John Hammond himself. Pictures and paintings hung on the walls, screens with the old Jurassic Park greeting film complete with Mr. DNA floating around. In the center stood the infamous cane, the amber casting a glow onto the ground as the light died outside. Maria looked up at the painting nearest to her as she slowly began to walk around.
It was strange, John Hammond himself stood there holding what looked like… a small elephant? She stepped closer to get a better look. Yep, that was indeed a foot tall elephant in John Hammond's arms.
"Like it?" A man asked from behind her, spinning, Maria saw a man near her age standing behind her with a friendly smile on his face. "That was one of the first clones my grandfather had created, nasty little thing," he said fondly as he came near. "Made it for his miniature zoo, everything was animatronic of course but my grandfather wanted that one thing to be real."
"He's cute," Maria said softly as she looked from the man to the painting.
"He looked cute, apparently he liked to bite," the man said with a soft laugh before turning and facing her, holding his hand out. "Tim Murphy, I appreciate you coming out," he said as the two shook hands.
Once released, Maria gave Tim a sheepish smile. "I'm sorry, they told me to wait in the parlor but…"
"No, no it's fine," Tim waved her off. "I created this room for that purpose alone, makes me feel better that he can still entertain people even now," he gave her a genuine smile as he nodded towards the next painting. "We can look around," he suggested.
Maria nodded, not wanting to push him to reveal why he wanted to meet her. That would have been rude, and he's been nice so far. Plus, she was aware that millionaires liked to ramble a bit before they got to the point. "It's an impressive room," she said instead as they walked.
"Thank you," Tim said softly as he looked up at the grainy picture of his grandfather on what looked like Isla Nublar. "My grandfather was idealistic," he said now as they moved on. "He loved the idea of the park succeeding, of people seeing his creations and finding wonder in it. It crushed him during the incident in 1993 to have to leave it all behind."
"He did a remarkable thing," Maria said softly as she looked up at the next picture, awe flashing across her face. "Is that…?"
"Rexy," Tim confirmed, smiling at the picture of the hatching rex. "Hard to believe she was ever that small," he said almost distantly. He shook his head and led them on. "I'm glad she made it out alive, her and Delilah."
"Elizah didn't," Maria said softly, remembering what Owen had said about their escape from the island as it blew. The poor old girl had been so close to escaping, and chose to sing in her last moments for those who got out.
Tim nodded, eyes downcast as he accepted that. "They couldn't save them all," he said softly, as if convincing himself of that. "Of course, those who saved them didn't do it with good intentions," he went on, voice tight.
"I had nothing to do with that,' Maria said immediately. She'd been under fire for that since the FBI had gotten involved.
"I know that," Tim said as they stopped in front of the cane. "Which is why I called you here. You've been housing them on your island, you sent thousands of dollars to help keep the Dinosaur Protection Group up and functioning. Also, between you and me, I quite enjoyed your videos regarding the raptors at Jurassic World. "
He took a breath, looking up at the cane for support. "Isla Sorna is on borrowed time," he said finally. "Just like Nublar, it was built on a dormant volcano. It's only a matter of time before it wakes up and takes everything out with it."
"Wu told me," Maria recalled as she remembered the conversation she had with the geneticist when she first found out about the island's demise.
"I know you're going to the island on a different matter," Tim began as he looked at her hopefully. "I called you here for a favor, would you be willing to house more dinosaurs on your island?"
"Of course," Maria said immediately. "There's plenty of room and not enough species saved the first time," she added.
Tim looked surprised for a second before a laugh escaped him. "I was expecting some resistance," he admitted. "But that's great! I know you're going there for Wu, but I'm hoping you can look for potential dinosaurs that can be rehoused onto Isla Matanceros. No tagging, I know you won't have the time for that, but photos would be sufficient. I can send a team later on to collect them and ship them to Isla Matanceros."
Maria nodded, "that would work well," she admitted. "I'll do my best," she promised.
Tim smiled and nodded before blindsiding her. "How is the hybrid?"
"I, what?" Maria choked as she looked at him. Did everyone know about Ripper? That was supposed to be confidential, with only a few knowing about him. How did Tim know?
"My sister is a computer nerd, or "hacker" in her terms," Tim explained with a laugh at her expression. "When we found out that Mills had attempted to sell the dinosaurs, she hacked into the security cameras in the manor. We saw everything, from him being brought out all the way to you recaging him. It was very impressive."
Maria swallowed, but accepted that answer. "I see… well, he's fine," she said as she finally answered his original question. "Growing big, you know."
Tim nodded. "I won't keep you," he said with a nod. "I'll see you out," he said as he placed a hand gently on her shoulder and walked with her to the front door. "Please," he stopped her before she left. "Please be careful," he urged gently. "The dinosaurs over there are more… natural than the ones at the park. Step lightly, and stick together," he advised before he shook her hand and bid her farewell.
Maria laid out in the pasture of the barn, Ripper curled around her as she rested against his side. His head tucked under her arm as he rested his chin on her lap, a deep purr emanating from him as he relaxed far better than he did back in the Lockwood Estate. The two sat there, Ripper listening as Maria regaled him with tales of her trip to the mainland.
"Rip," she said softly as she gathered his attention. She needed to inform him on the new developments that would be coming up in the next few weeks. "We're going to have some visitors arriving, not like the ones you've met before," she said once she was sure he was listening. "I need you to be on your best behavior, do you remember what I said about raptors and packs?"
He knocked on the air, yes.
"Good, well… these guys are going to be pack for a little while," Maria explained the best she could. "We're going to go on an adventure soon, and you and Blue are going to help us," she added, smiling when he perked up at Blue's name. "You can't attack them," she said sternly, earning a noncommittal grumble at that. "Ripper, I'm serious, I need you to tell me that you understand what I'm saying here. Unless I give you strict orders to attack someone, you will treat them like they are a part of our little pack," she gave him a look as he thought it over. Finally he nodded and gave her the appropriate signs.
Yes, I understand.
"Good," she let out a relieved sigh as she leaned back onto his side. "You'll do fine," she promised him as she scratched under his chin, causing his back foot to kick a little. "And when it is all over, I'll let you have a whole bunch of beef," she promised, giggling when he let out an excited chirp.
"Maria!" Billy called from the house. "It's getting late, you should turn in," he added.
With a sigh, Maria nodded and extracted herself from Ripper's hold. Shushing him as he protested, she gave his snout a quick kiss. "I'll see you in the morning," she promised as she made her way to the barn and slipped out the front door. Locking it securely, she met up with Billy on the front porch. "I'm not a child," she said with a childish pout.
"Oh, I know," Billy crooned as he wrapped her into a hug. "But it is late and you need to sleep. You've been running around all day since you got back, you need to rest."
"I was resting out there," she pointed out as they reached her room. "But, I guess you're right."
"Oh? So you finally admit-"
"I admit nothing, good night," she said quickly as she entered her room and shut the door. Chuckling lightly, she gathered her things to get ready for bed and went into the bathroom, smiling softly as she listened to the dinosaurs call out their goodnights.
In just a few more weeks, she'd be listening to whole new calls. She picked at her fingernails as she walked back into her room. She had no idea what was in store on the island, nor how Ripper would react to it all. With a heavy sigh, she turned off the light and made the decision to worry about things one at a time.
Like trying to convince the team when they arrived that Ripper totally won't kill them for a jerky stick in a heartbeat.
Next chapter will have Eric (and the nameless agents) meeting Ripper and Blue. Maybe a skip to them heading out to the island and then we'll be getting this arc rolling finally.